THE CHEMAWA AMERICAN
H. E. WADSWORTH, Superintendent
VOLUME 18 OCTOBER, 1915 NUMBER 1
OUR INDIAN SCHOOLS AS I SEE THEM
BY W. TC. TAYLOR, Assistant Superintendent and Principal of Salem
Indian Training School
Article III
N later articles we hope to discuss classification, gra
dation, correlation and unification, but the present
articles are limited to the organization of our Indian
school work.
The aim of organization is to secure the most
efficient training, academic and vocational, and to
provide above all things for the physical well-being
of the future citizen, and to secure such moral training as may be pro
vided by suitable religious instruction. This work must at all times
be limited by available funds. Hence there must be competent in
struction and efficient direction. The successful working of these de
mand efficient and skillful supervision. Four elements enter into the
consideration; the good of the Indian, the equipment or material for
doing the work, the instruction, and the supervision. The two great
weaknesses, as we see it, in the organization are inefficient instruction
and deficient supervision.
To place a mere foreman in charge of children without much previ
ous working experience, is to invite failure; such foreman must have
much direction and able instruction. To instruct these requires much
technical knowledge of a practical nature; much planning and out
lining, and after all this, the power to impart to workman and students.
To secure such instruction and direction is the aim of this article.
Our schools require a more definite system of organization. When
this organization is determined each employee must have a definite
field to occupy; such that there can arise no question of responsibility
and authority. He must know to whom, for what, and when he is
directly responsible, and to whom he must look for instruction. His